blood lily: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Botanical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “blood lily” mean?
A flowering plant of the genus Haemanthus, native to southern Africa, characterized by dense, spherical clusters of red flowers and broad leaves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flowering plant of the genus Haemanthus, native to southern Africa, characterized by dense, spherical clusters of red flowers and broad leaves.
A common name for several plants with red, blood-colored flowers, most notably Haemanthus species, often used in ornamental gardening. May also refer to Scadoxus multiflorus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant dialectal difference in term usage. Both use the same common name.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, limited to gardening and botanical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “blood lily” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] blood lily [VERB].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blood lily” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The blood-lily red was stunning.
American English
- A blood-lily hue coloured the garden.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in horticultural trade.
Academic
Used in botanical texts and papers.
Everyday
Limited to gardening enthusiasts.
Technical
Precise term for a specific genus in Amaryllidaceae family.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blood lily”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blood lily”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blood lily”
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (Blood Lily) outside of a title.
- Confusing it with the 'amaryllis' or 'hippeastrum'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a member of the Lilium genus. It belongs to the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae).
Yes, certain species like Haemanthus albiflos are suitable as houseplants due to their tolerance for low light.
The name refers to the bright red colour of its flowers and the red sap of some species, reminiscent of blood.
Yes, like many amaryllids, parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and can cause gastrointestinal distress.
A flowering plant of the genus Haemanthus, native to southern Africa, characterized by dense, spherical clusters of red flowers and broad leaves.
Blood lily is usually technical/botanical, literary in register.
Blood lily: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌlɪl.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌlɪl.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'lily' the colour of 'blood' – a vivid red flower head.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE AS A PLANT / PASSION AS RED / BLOOD AS LIFE FORCE
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the term 'blood lily'?